Dynamic mining system comprsing hydrated multiple recovery sites and related methods

ABSTRACT

A mining system and related methods for recovering gold and/or other heavy metals at multiple sites along a continuously hydrated ore processing route. The gold-bearing ore and primary or carrier water are dynamically and circuitously displaced to segregate the gold, and precipitate the gold particles into predetermined recovery sites along the flow path of the mix. Boil box recovery sites are selectively provided for recovery of nuggets and smaller gold particles. Secondary water churns and disrupts the primary carrier flow of the mix through each boil box. The master stream of gold-sized ore-primary water mix is subdivided into several separate streams or substreams. The sub streams are violent in nature, with one exception, and are typically contained in man-made canal-forming troughs or multiple recovery sites. Recovery sites have one or more drop slots. A downward draw caused by flow of secondary water in a conduit located below each slot enhances recovery.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to mining and, more particularly, to anovel dynamic mining system for the recovery of gold and/or other heavyprecious and non-precious metals having hydrated multiple recoverysites, and related methods. When the term "gold" is used in thisSpecification, it is to be understood that it has application to gold aswell as other precious and non-precious heavy metals.

BACKGROUND

Recovery of gold through various placer mining techniques is generallywell known and has been for a very long time. Sluice box recovery is,perhaps, the best known prior way to placer mine.

Heretofore, various forms of placer mining have been both expensive andrelatively inefficient, leaving a substantial amount of non-recoveredgold in waste, tramp, discarded, or spent ore.

The mining industry has sought, largely in vain, to find an efficientsystem and methods by which a significantly high percentage of gold canbe recovered from ore in a cost-effective way, independent of whetherthe ore is being processed for the first time or is being reprocessed.

BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In brief summary, the present invention overcomes or substantiallyalleviates the aforesaid problems of the prior art. In its mostfundamental aspects, the present invention comprises a mining system,and related methods, by which gold and/or other heavy metals arerecovered at multiple sites along a continuously hydrated ore processingroute. Recovery is based significantly upon sizing of ore, dynamichydration of ore, creating a mix of ore, the element to be recovered,such as gold, and primary or carrier water, which mix is dynamically andcircuitously displaced to segregate the gold, and separation throughagitation and downward specific gravity displacement of the goldparticles into predetermined recovery sites along the flow path of themix. Various techniques are employed at the several recovery sites thateither enhance turbulent separation of the gold from the remainder ofthe ore or accommodate downward migration of gold particles at eachrecovery site or both.

Boil box recovery sites are selectively provided for recovery of nuggetsand smaller gold particles. Secondary water churns and disrupts theprimary carrier flow of the mix through the boil box. The depth of eachboil box is typically greater than the depth of upstream and downstreamflow path-defining structure. Each boil box comprises at least onechamber in which precipitated gold particles are collected and fromwhich the gold is periodically recovered.

Where appropriate, screens or apertured plates of steel, plastic orboth, can be used to size, segregate, and recover gold.

Dynamic displacement of sized ore in rapidly flowing carrier water, invery large rapidly flowing quantities, is an important feature of theinvention. Availability and reuse of the massive amount of carrier andsecondary water are, therefore, important for some aspects of thepresent invention. Water not only serves as a dynamic carrier andhydrator for the ore, but is used in a secondary fashion to selectivelyturbulate the gold-ore-carrier water mix to enhance separation andsedimentation of gold particles. Water also serves to initially removesurface gold from influent ore, preferably prior to any sizing of theore.

The master stream of gold-sized ore-primary water mix, in oneembodiment, is subdivided into several separate streams or substreams. Asplitter may be used to create the substreams. The substreams areviolent in nature, with one exception, and are typically contained inman-made canal-forming troughs comprising multiple recovery sites, atleast one of which comprises a boil box. Another recovery site maycomprise one or more drop slots, which typically are diagonally orientedacross the associated substream. At least some, if not all, of the slotsmay be subjected to a downward draw caused by flow of secondary water ina conduit located below, but in communication with a given slot. Mineraljigs may be used to recover gold segregated at selected slot recoverysites.

Each trough comprises a dynamic segregation box comprising successivecompartments across which a top layer of turbulent flow continuouslyoccurs during operation. Within each compartment, during use, a bottomlayer of laminar flow takes place not only within each compartment, butfrom compartment-to-compartment.

The laminar flow at the bottom of the trough is damped by yieldablebaffle elements, which may be blades of synthetic resinous carpet.Smaller particles of gold, accordingly, settle between the blades oryieldable baffle elements.

A violent central, middle or immediate layer of turbulent flow occursbetween the top unobstructed turbulent layer and bottom laminar layer oftrough flow. This middle layer is caused to revolve upon itself withineach compartment. Rigid barriers at each end of each compartmentpreferably do not accommodate direct middle layer flow betweencompartments. Instead, middle layer flow from one compartment to anotheris preferably limited to displacement down into the bottom laminar flowlayer or up into unobstructed top turbulent flow layer. Within eachcompartment, the turbulence of the middle flow layer revolves orcomprises eddy currents enhanced by a whipping action caused byyieldable flaps or flap segments that dynamically oscillate up and downwith the flow of the mix through the trough. This vigorous actionsegregates the gold particles from the other solids within the mix,which gold particles, including nuggets, and driven downwardly andsettle to the bottom of the compartment, the larger ones of said goldparticles being pushed by the trough flow against the downstreamcompartment barrier.

The splitter may be valved so that flow to any selected trough may betemporarily stopped to allow removal of accumulated gold.

Slime or silt containing micro-fine gold is separated fromtrough-discharged waste solids and the slime is collected in at leastone and preferably several clarifying-sedimentation ponds or reservoirs,from which water is reclaimed, recirculated, and reused. The sedimentarysolids deposited in the clarifying-sedimentation ponds are latersalvaged for application of secondary recovery methods by which themicro-fine gold is recovered.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the presentinvention to overcome or substantially alleviate prior gold and otherheavy metal recovery problems.

Another principal object of the present invention is the provision of amining system, and related methods, by which gold and/or other heavymetals are recovered.

An additional dominant object of the present invention is the provisionof a placer mining system, and related methods, comprising multiplesites for gold recovery along one or more continuously hydratedprocessing routes.

An additional significant object of the present invention has to do withprovision of a system and methods for sizing of gold-bearing ore anddynamic hydration of the sized ore to create a mix of ore, gold, andcarrier water which mix is dynamically and circuitously displaced toisolate the gold, based on separation through agitation and downwardspecific gravity displacement of the gold particles into a variety ofrecovery sites along the flow path of the mix.

An additional important object of the present invention comprisesprovision of a mining system and methods comprising multiple recoverysites where separation of gold from the remainder of the ore isturbulently enhanced and downward migration of the gold particles at theseveral recovery sites is efficiently accommodated, on a cost-effectivebasis.

An additional paramount object of the present invention is the provisionof a placer mining system comprising boil box recovery sites, andrelated methods, by which gold nuggets and smaller gold particles arerecovered.

An additional object of value is the provision in a novel mining system,in a boil box context, of secondary water that dynamically churns anddisrupts primary carrier flow for dynamic separation of the gold fromnon-gold ore particles.

A further object of significance is the provision of sizing andsegregation sites in a gold recovery system for both the raw ore andgold contained within the ore.

An additional object of paramount importance is the provision in thegold placer mining system of dynamic displacement of sized ore inrapidly flowing carrier water, and related methods.

An additional object of importance is the provision and reuse of massiveamounts of carrier and secondary water in the recovery of gold from oreat multiple recovery sites.

An additional valuable object of the present invention is the provisionof dynamic displacement of ore in selectively turbulated water toenhance separation and sedimentation of gold particles.

An additional dominant object of the present invention is theutilization of water spray upon influent ore to insure removal ofsurface gold from the ore.

Another paramount object of the present invention is the provision inthe gold mining system, and related methods, of a master streamcomprised of gold, sized ore, and primary carrier water mixed together,which master stream is separated into streams or substreams forgold-removal processing.

An additional object of significance is the provision in a placer miningsystem, and related methods, of a hydrated ore flow divider or splitterby which a main stream of hydrated ore is subdivided into smallerstreams for gold recovery purposes.

An additional object of value is the recovery of gold through theutilization of massive quantities of water in which the ore beingprocessed is hydrated and the combination flows turbulently as one ormore streams under force of gravity, to accommodate separation andsedimentation of gold at predetermined gold recovery sites along theflow path.

An additional primary object is the provision of a gold mining system,and related methods, wherein one or more streams of water containinggold-bearing ore are violently displaced along a trough or canalcomprised of multiple gold recovery sites.

An additional object of value is the provision of gold recovery dropslots at or near an influent to a trough.

An additional object of paramount significance is the provision in aplacer mining system of gold recovery drop slots selectively positionedat the bottom of a flow path for water containing gold-bearing orewherein secondary flow below at least some of the drop slots draws goldparticles downwardly away from the main stream.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide at least oneand preferably several troughs in which water containing gold-bearingore is dynamically displaced into and through successive compartments toenhance recovery of gold.

Another object of importance is the provision of at least one goldrecovery dynamic segregation box in which water containing gold-bearingore is vigorously displaced into and out of successive compartments toenhance recovery of gold.

It is a further object of significance to provide at least one trough orcanal for receiving water in which gold-bearing ore is disbursed andcarried as a stream, the trough comprising a dynamic segregation box inwhich flow is laminar near the bottom, turbulent although recirculatingin nature in an intermediate portion of the stream, and turbulent nearthe top of the stream.

An additional object of dominance is the provision in a gold miningsystem, and related methods, of a dynamic gold recovery box or troughthrough which a substantial stream of water having gold-bearing oretherein flows where the flow is turbulent except near the bottom andlaminar flow near the bottom is engaged by yieldable baffle elements orblades that enhance sedimentation of gold particles between the bladesor yieldable baffle elements.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide for atleast one and preferably several compartmentized troughs, boxes, orcanals in which water containing gold-bearing ore is dynamically andviolently displaced such that each compartment induces turbulentrevolving flow to enhance separation and sedimentation of gold particleswithin each compartment.

An additional object of value is the provision of at least one andpreferably several compartmentized troughs, boxes, or canals in whichwater containing gold-bearing ore is dynamically displaced such thatyieldable flaps or flap segments dynamically oscillate up and down tofurther turbulate the flow thereby enhancing separation andsedimentation of gold particles from other solids within eachcompartment.

It is a further object of importance to segregate slime or silt at theeffluent of a gold recovery system and to use secondary recovery methodsto recovery micro-fine gold from the slime or silt.

It is a further object of the present invention to utilize one or moreclarifying-sedimentation ponds or reservoirs to separate solid finesfrom water discharged from a gold recovery system.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will beapparent from the detailed description taken with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a mining system flow diagram for recovery of gold and/or otherheavy metals, illustrating one embodiment by which the principles of thepresent invention may be carried out;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the vibration pan feeder andhydrating section of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevation taken along lines 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section taken along lines 5--5of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view, with parts broken away forclarity, taken along lines 6--6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section taken along lines 7--7of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a schematic side elevational view of the hydrated vibrationgrizzly-scalper of the system of FIG. 1, equipped with a boulderdischarge chute.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged elevational view of the top deck of thegrizzly-scalper, taken along lines 9--9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational view of the bottom deck ofthe grizzly-scalper, taken along lines 10--10 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic plan view of the flow divider or splittermechanism at the discharge end of the grizzly-scalper of FIG. 1, showingsubdivision of the main stream from the grizzly-scalper into foursmaller streams or substreams, the streams being illustrated as beingturned to the left through 900 in FIG. 11 as opposed to the right, asshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of one of the boil boxeslocated near the influent to each trough-carried substream and of anadjacent slotted section, with parts broken away and removed forclarity;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section taken along lines13--13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section taken along lines14--14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section taken along lines15--15 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective representation of the troughs, withthe compartment forming barriers, flaps, rods and carpet removed forclarity of illustration, through which the four substreams flow betweenthe grizzly-scalper and the sump illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 17--17 of FIG. 12 ofa ramp disposed at the influent end of each trough through which onesubstream flows;

FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional view longitudinally along one slottedsection of one trough;

FIG. 18 is an exploded fragmentary perspective of thecompartment-forming barriers, flaps, rods, and carpet disposed withineach dynamic segregation box between the slotted plate section and thesump;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view showing part of onecompartment of a dynamic segregation box;

FIG. 20 is a cross-section taken along lines 20--20 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a schematic of the nature of the flow of carrier watercontaining ore through a dynamic segregation box;

FIG. 22 is an elevational view showing a presently preferred releasible,interlocking structure by which the dynamic segregation box when formedin sections can be assembled and disassembled;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary perspective view of the female interlockingstructure of one section of a dynamic segregation box illustrated inFIG. 22; and

FIG. 24 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section showing one mode bywhich an ultra heavy molecular weight polyethylene sheet can beinstalled as a liner to protect steel surfaces of the illustrated goldrecovery system from wear due to displacement of hydrated ore.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

The Presently Preferred Overall System

Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals are usedthroughout to designate like pans. Specific reference is made to FIG. 1which diagrammatically or schematically illustrates, in flow chart form,a presently preferred overall system, generally designated 30,incorporating various principles of the present invention. System 30will be described in respect to recovery of gold, but it should beunderstood that the principles of the present invention and the variousmodes of operation and mechanisms described herein also apply to therecovery of other heavy metals, both precious and non-precious. Whilesystem 30 is shown as being supported directly upon the ground, it is tobe appreciated that in other configuration it may be supported uponwheeled vehicles, or upon a dredge, or in other ways.

A continuous supply of water is an important aspect of the presentinvention. To utilize the present invention in an efficient way, anextremely large volume of available water is important. In manyconfigurations, the best placement of the large supply of processingwater is in a large reservoir or pond 34, to which both supplementalwater and reclaimed process water is introduced. More particularly, inreference to FIG. 1, water is initially obtained from any suitablesource 32, which may be a stream, river, well, spring,naturally-occurring lake, manmade reservoir, pond, or several of theindividual or collective sources mentioned. It is to be understood,therefore, that water source 32 may be any source or combination ofsources from which water may be obtained.

Thus, in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, the man-made,relatively large recirculation water pond 34 is provided. The capacityof water pond 34 is selected so as to accommodate the particular size ofgold-recovery operation contemplated for a particular locality,depending upon the demographics, upon funding available for thegold-recovery operation, and other factors. Accordingly, the size ofpond 34 can vary from operation-to-operation and fromconfiguration-to-configuration.

Recirculation water pond 34 may be formed by man-made earth barriers orother types of barriers, such as concrete, to provide a cavity or craterhaving the size necessary to accommodate the amount of water essentialfor the recovery operation. Once the cavity in the earth for pond 34 hasbeen established or created, it is filled with water. For example, waterfrom source 32 may be displaced by pump 36 or otherwise caused to flowinto the cavity for pond 34. This may take a protracted interval oftime, consuming up to several days. When the recirculation pond 34 isfilled to a desired level, and the remainder of the system 30 isoperational, the gold recovery process can commence.

Also, essential to the present invention is a source of ore 38. The orefrom the source 38 is ordinarily delivered to the system 30 by one ormore known earth moving techniques, such as use of bulldozers, front-endloaders, scrapers, drag lines, backhoes, etc. The ore from the source 38will typically be raw, non-segregated ore, which is discharged into anore ingress site of system 30. More specifically, in respect to FIG. 1,the ore is dumped into an upper hopper 39 of a vibration pan feeder 40and is moved along a sloped, vibrating plate through a hydrating section42. Primary water from pond 34 is delivered to hydrating section 42 by arelatively large, high volume pump 44, preferably across a filter 46.Pump 44, for the configuration of the invention shown in FIG. 1, ispreferably a 10"-12" large capacity pump capable of delivering 4,000gallons of water per minute to hydrated vibration grizzly-scalper 54 andample water as well to hydrating section 42. The water delivered tohydrating section 42 is sprayed forcibly at high pressure from anoverhead position upon the raw ore as it moves through the hydratingsection 42. Such spraying removes surface gold from the ore.

Hydrating section 42 is equipped with a primary boil box mechanism 48,from which large and intermediate sized nuggets are recovered anddelivered to gold house 50. Secondary water, illustrated as beingderived from pond 34 via pump 44, is introduced into boil box 48 toenhance recovery of gold at that site. Primary boil box 48 alsogenerates a separate effluent of water, relatively small pieces of oreand gold sediment, which is collected and periodically delivered to afirst trough 52 for gold recovery, as hereinafter more fully explained.

The main ore-water effluent from hydrating section 42 (exclusive of thatdischarged into boil box 48) is delivered to hydrated vibrationgrizzly-scalper 54, which is a two-deck ore segregator, in theillustrated embodiment.

A large volume of water/Yom pond 34 is delivered by pump 44 togrizzly-scalper 54, where it is vigorously and forcefully sprayed fromoverhead nozzles upon the moving ore to further remove surface goldtherefrom and to increase the quantity of water mixed with the ore sothat the water can function as a primary carrier of the ore through theremainder of the system 30.

As illustrated, grizzly-scalper 54 separates the ore into four parts.Very large boulders move across the top deck of the grizzly-scalper 54and are displaced from a chute to large boulder site 56. The bouldersmay be left at site 56 or hauled away in a conventional manner,depending upon the number of boulders so segregated, the size and natureof site 56, and other factors.

The top deck of grizzly-scalper 54 comprises a segregator by whichpieces of ore smaller than the very large boulders discharge to site 56,but larger than a first predetermined size, for example, about fourinches, are separated from the remainder of the ore and displaced alongconveyor 58 to a waste pile 60, where this waste ore is accumulated, orhauled away as deemed appropriate in the operation of system 30.

Ore less than the first predetermined size, for example about four inch,down to no more than a second predetermined size, for example one andone-half inches in the illustrated embodiment, is displaced through thetop deck segregator to the bottom deck of grizzly-scalper 4.

The lower deck of grizzly-scalper 54 passes hydrated ore no greater thana third smaller predetermined size, for example about three-quarterinch, therethrough to a splitter 62, with ore particles having a sizebetween the second and third predetermined sizes being displaced acrossthe lower deck of grizzly-scalper 54 to a conveyor 64 and from thence towaste pile 60.

Thus, the mixture of ore and water processed through the remainder ofthe recovery system 30 is introduced into splitter 62 flows collectivelyas a fluid. This mixture comprises ore pieces no greater than the thirdpredetermined size, for example about three-quarters of one inch. Asillustrated, splitter 62 is a flow divider by which the effluent to beprocessed from grizzly-scalper 54 is subdivided into four separatestreams or substreams of similar or substantially the same volume offlow. These streams are created by upwardly-directed flow dividers 64,66, and 68 as well as the sidewall of the splitter 62. Flow dividers 64and 68 are pivotally mounted, respectively, at hinges 70 and 72. Divider66 is fixed in its position. Each flow divider 64 and 66 may beselectively pivoted to prevent flow along a selected one of the fourflow paths to accommodate periodic manual removal of gold particlestherefrom, as hereinafter explained in greater detail. The four streamsof water and ore which are discharged from splitter 62 are respectivelyturbulently displaced under force of gravity along four sloped troughs,i.e., troughs 52, 74, 76, and 78, respectively. The streams or flow ofore and water through each trough 52, 74, 76, and 78 are and, with oneexception, remain dynamic and turbulent, in a manner explainedhereinafter in greater detail. Each trough 52, 74, 76, and 78 isillustrated as traversing through a 900 angle, at site 80, beforecrossing a plurality of gold recovery locations forming a part of ordisposed within each trough.

The initial gold recovery site in each trough comprises a trough boilbox 82. Each boil box 82, in the illustrated configuration, has a depthextending below adjacent flow confining structure in the associatedtrough. Consequently, the ore and water mixture being displaced througheach trough will tumble downwardly into each boil box as secondary waterfrom pond 34 (or any other source) is delivered under high pressure viaone or more pumps 84 to each boil box 82. It is to be appreciated thatwhile pumps 84 are shown collectively, an individual supply line and anindividual pump may be used, respectively, to supply secondary water toeach boil box 82. The secondary water is introduced under high pressure,preferably counter to the flow of the mixture of carrier water and orealong the trough, so as to enhance turbulence in the boil box 82 andthereby stimulate separation and precipitation of gold particles intothe lowest region of the boil box 82, where the gold is collected andretrieved. The collection site of each boil box 82 is emptied fromtime-to-time and the recovered gold content thereof delivered to thegold house 50, nuggets without any requirements that impurities beremoved and smaller gold particles with the requirements that knownprocesses be used to remove impurities.

The carrier water-ore mix discharged from each boil box 82 is thereafterdisplaced under force of gravity over a velocity plate 83 and thereafteralong the associated trough at substantial velocity through a slottedsection 86 comprising a plurality of diagonally oriented slots 88 of apredetermined size. Secondary water from pond 34 or any other suitablesource is delivered under high pressure to each slotted section 86, asdiagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 1. Specifically, pumps 84 deliverhigh pressure secondary water to a conduit at the underside of each slot88 diagonally disposed in each slot section 86. Accordingly, the heaviergold particles fall and are drawn by a hydraulic force into slots 88.The hydraulic force is created by the flow of secondary water beneatheach slot. High pressure secondary water can be supplied eithercollectively to all slot sections 86 or individually to each slotsection 86.

The effluent flowing downwardly through the slots 88 of each slotsection 86 is displaced with the aid of one or more pumps 90, ifnecessary, to a set of commercially available mineral jigs 92, wheregold particles equal to and below a certain size are recovered and fromthence delivered to the gold house 50 where remaining impurities areremoved. Typically, the set of mineral jigs 92 pass gold equal to andsmaller than ten mesh. In most configurations, each slotted section 86will have its own discharge tube, its own pump 90, and at least one butpreferably a series of mineral jigs 92 through which the slot effluentfrom each slotted section 86 is passed to recover the gold containedtherein.

Effluent carrier water and ore exiting each slot section 86, exclusiveof discharge through the slots 88, is communicated next across a ramp orvelocity plate section 83 and thereafter along the associated troughthrough a dynamic segregation box 94. The flow of water and ore througheach dynamic segregation box 94 is subdivided into three layers, i.e., abottom layer, which is laminar, an intermediate revolving, turbulent,and compartmentized layer, and a top unobstructed turbulent layer.

The intermediate flow layer is not continuous along the trough throughthe dynamic segregation box, but is formed primarily from carrier waterand ore initially primarily derived from the top flow layer.Compartments disposed within the middle flow layer are defined by middleflow layer impervious barriers disposed transversely of the trough andlocated successively along the dynamic segregation box. Structuralangles are preferred, where each barrier comprises a one generallyvertically disposed leg of the angle. Each barrier does not accommodatedirect middle layer flow from compartment to compartment. Middle layerflow in one compartment must first move into the top and bottom flowlayers, respectively, to traverse from one compartment to the nextconsecutive compartment.

Within each compartment, between successive barriers, the middle layerflow is revolving and highly turbulent. This flow is enhanced byyieldable fins, paddles, flaps or flippers, which vigorously are causedto move up and down responsive to the dynamics of flow in the top layerand the adjacent middle layer. In the illustrated configuration, atransversely directed, longitudinally extending flap is carried orattached at the top of each compartment-forming barrier. Thus, each flapextends transverse of flow, but is cantilevered in a longitudinal upwardand downstream direction. The oscillating or whipping motion of thepaddle, fin, flap, or flipper enhances separation of gold particles fromthe remainder of the ore and sedimentation of the gold particles fromthe middle flow layer into the bottom flow layer. Because of the natureof the complex flow through each dynamic segregation box andparticularly within each compartment thereof, gold nuggets are drivendownstream in a given compartment against the downstream barrier andaccumulate at and below the lowest portion of the barrier.

The bottom laminar flow layer occurs through upstanding yieldablefingers or blades, which damp the flow and cause smaller gold particlescontained therein to accumulate between the blades. Pairs of rods extendtransversely within the bottom laminar flow layer and are juxtaposedfore and aft of each barrier. Laminar flow between compartments in thebottom layer thus occurs over and under the transverse rods.

As stated earlier, the flow to any of the troughs may be temporarilydiscontinued by manually rotating one of the valve members 64 or 68 insplitter 62 to shut the flow thereto off, following which goldaccumulated immediately upstream of each compartment barrier and betweenthe upstanding blades is manually recovered and delivered to the goldhouse 50, the nuggets requiring no removal of impurities, while the goldcollected between the blades requiring conventional removal of theimpurities to obtain pure gold. The flow in any desired trough may be sodiscontinued when repairs to a given trough are needed. When any troughso taken out of service is ready for use thereof to resume, theassociated valve member 64 or 68 is reverse manually rotated to theupright position shown in FIG. 1.

A second slotted section 97 comprising a single slot 99 is disposed atthe discharge end of each trough 52, 74, 76, and 78. Each slot 99 isconstructed and operates essentially the same as each slot 88.

The trough effluent from each dynamic segregation box 94, exclusive ofthe discharge through slot 99, is discharged down a spillway 95 into asloped sump 96. Some of the spent carrier water and residual fine solidsso introduced into the sump is removed by a water and fines drainmechanism and delivered by pump 98 (or by gravity) to a first slime pond100. The remainder of the spent ore and water passes from the sump 96 toa conventional sand screw 102, which separates the remaining silt orslime and water from the larger solids. The larger waste solids aredelivered by sand screw 102 to the waste pile 60 via a conveyor 104. Theremaining slime or silt and the water mix delivered to the sand screw102 is displaced by a conventional slime pump 106 to the first slimepond 100.

Where the terrain permits, it is preferable that hydrating section 42,grizzly-scalper 54, the splitter 54, troughs 52, 74, 76, and 78 and sump96 be located at a relatively high elevation. The first slime pond 100is preferably located at a lower elevation such that pump 98 can beeliminated, if desired, and water drained by gravity from sump 96 intothe first slime pond 100.

Typically, the first slime pond and any other slime pond are cavitiesformed or existing in the surface of the ground. They are sized toreceive a predetermined amount of water and fine material, called slimeor silt, in which micro-fine gold particles exist. Each slime pond maycomprise a discharge weir, where the weir is progressively elevated asthe amount of water and slime accumulate in the associated slime pond.

Slime pond 100, as is true of all other slime ponds used as part of thesystem 30, serves to clarify the water therein and precipitate or settlethe fine solid particles as a sediment. As the quantity of finesincreases, the water capacity of the pond is enlarged by elevating theweir, with the water flowing over the weir into one or more successiveponds, such as slime pond 108. Ultimately, any slime pond will becomesubstantially full of fines and the capability of the pond to receiveand clarify the water decreases. While only two slime ponds areillustrated in FIG. 1 as being used, it is to be appreciated that, atany point in time, as many slime ponds as desired may be utilized. It ispreferred that each successive slime pond utilized at any point in timebe at an elevation slightly below the immediately adjacent upstreamslime pond so that water may flow by force of gravity from pond to pond,carrying with the water some fine particles.

As time passes, additional slime ponds are added to the system andpreviously used slime ponds, generally full of slime or silt withreduced clarifying capability and reduced water-receiving capacity, areremoved from the system. At an appropriate point in time, when the watercontent of an abandoned slime pond is sufficiently reduced, byevaporation and transformation, to accommodate earth moving equipment,the residual sedimentation is harvested and subjected to existing andknown secondary recovery methods at site 110, such as cyanide treatment,where micro-fine gold is recovered.

At any point in time, effluent water from the distal or downstream slimepond, illustrated as pond 108 in FIG. 1, is returned, preferably underforce of gravity, to the large capacity recirculating water pond orreservoir 34, where it is reused.

Vaporization, transpiration, and leakage consume some of the waterprocessed through system 30, in the manner described above, requiringthat supplemental water from source 32 via pump 36 or from some othersource be added periodically or continuously to restore or maintain pond34 at the appropriate level. It is presently believed that such losseswill require that about 10-25 percent make up water be added to the pond34.

While flow between slime ponds and thereafter from the distal slime pondto the recirculating water reservoir pond 34 is illustrated in FIG. 1 asbeing under force of gravity, in other configurations, the return watercan be pumped to reservoir 34 as may be required, depending upon terrainand other parameters.

Ultimately, the gold accumulated in gold house 50 is processed in arefinery 112 of known type, where the gold is refined and poured intomolds. The resulting solid bricks of gold are typically deposited inkind in a bank or sold to or through a licensed broker.

The Vibration Pan Feeder

One suitable configuration of vibration pan feeder 40 is illustrated inFIG. 2, to which reference is now made. Vibration pan feeder 40comprises the previously mentioned hopper or chute, generally designated39, a vibrating plate feeder, generally designated 120, an eccentricvibrating mechanism, generally designated 122, a structural framecomprising support members, collectively generally designated 124, and abase, generally designated 126, in the form of a skid.

To the extent applicable and within the constraints imposedgeographically, demographically, and financially, it is ordinarilypreferred that gold recovery system 30 be formed of components which canbe readily disassembled into sections or subassemblies, for portabilityof the system. Since such sectionalization or compartmentization iswithin the skill of those familiar with the art, no substantialdescription of the various components or sections needs to be made here.

Base or skid 126 comprises a rigid welded generally rectangular frameformed of standard structural members conventionally arranged andfastened together to withstand the expected load without failure orsubstantial deflection so as to prevent material settlement. As can beseen clearly from FIG. 2, skid 126 rests along its underside upon theground, soil, or earth 128, which is preferably compacted to avoidsettlement and contoured to accommodate the various parts of system 30at different elevations. Two transversely oriented I-beams 130 are shownto be embedded in the ground, soil, or earth so that the top surface ofthe upper flange is essentially flush with the top surface of the earth128 on which skid 126 rests. The vibration pan feeder 40 may thus bepulled across the ground by connecting the skid 126 to a tractor ofsufficient size and horsepower to position and reposition the vibrationpan feeder 40 as is appropriate.

The vibrating plate feeder 120 may be of any suitable type. One suitablevibrating plate feeder 120 which may be used is the Eliptex Heavy DutyFeeder VE-13, the size of which may be 64 inches by 24 inches,available/Yom Hewitt-Robins located in Columbia, S.C. The Eliptex VE-13feeder is equipped with an eccentric 122, which is driven by motor 123to vibrate a sloped plate 132 by which ore deposited in the hopper 39 asraw influent ore is displaced to and through the hydrating section 4.2.

Hopper 39, as can be seen from an inspection of FIG. 3, has slopedinterior sidewalls which direct the influent raw ore toward the centerof the hopper 39 and onto vibration plate 132. The influent ore hopper39 is formed of sheet steel, preferably one inch armor plate (AR) steel.Preferably, the high wear surfaces of the hopper 39 against which theore abrades are covered by suitably secured sheets of ultra-highmolecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).

The vibrating plate 132 is supported by four column members 134, two oneach side, which are suspended upon sets of springs 136. Each spring ofeach set 136 rests upon a base 138 which is supported upon pairs ofcolumns 140. Each column 140 rests upon and is supported in loadtransferring relationship by the skid 126.

The hopper 39 is supported on each side by a series of columns 124. Thebase of each column 124 rests upon the skid 126 in load-transferringrelationship. The columns 124 are suitably structurally braced andcross-connected to provide the requisite stability and strength ample tosupport the hopper 39, each column 124 being appropriately structurallyconnected to the hopper 39, such as by welding, bolting, or the like, asis well understood by those skilled in the art.

It is to be understood that no hydration of ore occurs per se at orwithin the vibration pan feeder 40. Accordingly, the raw influent ore,deposited from any suitable earth moving equipment into hopper 39, isdirected by the sloped interior sides of the hopper 39 onto the slopedvibrating plate 132. Plate 132 is oscillated by eccentric 122, causingthe influent raw ore to migrate under force of gravity and the vibrationalong the vibration pan feeder 40, from right to left as viewed in FIG.2, continuously into the hydrating section 42.

The Hydrating Section

One suitable hydrating section 42 is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4-7, towhich reference is now made. The previously described vibrating plate132 extends from vibration pan feeder 40 entirely across hydratingsection 42, maintaining the desired slope for ore displacement. See FIG.2. Opposed sidewalls 150 rest upon and are secured, such as by welding,to the vibrating plate 132 adjacent each side edge thereof. Thus, thehydrating section 42 is U-shaped in transverse cross-section, being openat both ends. The open proximal end of section 42 receives, on acontinuous basis, raw ore as the raw ore slides down the vibrating plate132 from vibration pan feeder 40 into and across hydrating section 42and into the hydrated vibration grizzly-scalper 54. Thus, above thevibrating platform 132 and between the sidewalls 150, the hydratingsection 42 is open.

It is preferred that each sidewall 150 be formed of sheet steel,preferably of AR quality. As shown in FIG. 4, each wall 150 comprises aninterior sheet of steel, an exterior sheet of steel, a top sheet ofsteel, and vertically directed edge sheets of steel. Internalreinforcement of a conventional nature is also currently preferred. Theexposed interior surface of each wall 150 is preferably lined withUHMWPE to extend the useful life of the interior sheets of steel formingsidewalls 150, since these surfaces are subjected to a high rate ofabrasion by the ore as it passes through hydrating section 42. In oneconfiguration, walls 150 may each be six feet long and four feet highand separated by 56 inches, although other configurations are within thepurview of the invention.

The vibrating plate 132 comprises a rectangular opening 152 near itsdischarge end. Rectangular opening 152 is sized and shaped to receive arectangular plate 154 so that the plate 154 is flush with the topsurface of the vibrating plate 132. Plate 154 may be an apertured(punched) rigid sheet of one inch thick AR grade steel plate the topsurface of which is covered with an attached apertured layer of UHMWPE.

The top surface of the vibrating plate 132 is likewise preferablycovered with a layer of UHMWPE, secured in place in a conventionalfashion, such as by use of welded threaded studs.

Superimposed near the proximal or inlet end of the hydrating section 42is a header pipe 156, which transversely spans the entire distancebetween the two walls 150 and is supported upon supports 158 of steel,contiguous with and welded to the top plate of the two sidewalls 150,respectively. See FIG. 4. The header pipe 156 is closed at its terminalend 158, receives water under pressure from supply pipe 170 andcomprises a plurality of downwardly and rearwardly-directed openings,each receiving or being in alignment with the proximal end of a nozzle160. The nozzles are welded in place, for example.

The sizes of header pipe 156 and supply pipe 170 may be appropriatelyselected by those skilled in the art, depending on various parameters.For example, each pipe may be six inches in diameter.

The hollow interior of each nozzle 160 is in fluid communication withthe interior of the header pipe 156. The outlet or distal end 166 ofeach nozzle is exposed below and protected by the shield 164. Eachnozzle 160 is directed downwardly and backwardly (upstream) toward oremoving along the vibrating plate 132 from vibration plan feeder 40 tohydrating section 42. The shield 164 illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5 isan angle structural steel member, which is welded or otherwise securedat each end thereof to the walls 150. Shield 164 rigidities the header56 and forms an umbrella or sheath directly above the discharge ends 166of the nozzles 160 to protect against damage and possible inoperabilitycaused by large boulders intending to be dropped into hopper 39, butinadvertently misdirected so as to fall upon either the header pipe 156or the shield 154.

Primary carrier water is delivered to header pipe 156 from supply tube170 and flows thence through the nozzles 160 into the hydrating section42. This partially hydrates the ore and blasts surface gold from theore. While primary water, emitted as a vigorous pressurized spray fromeach of the nozzles 160 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as being delivered fromrecirculation water pond 34 via high capacity, high pressure pump 44, itis to be appreciated that any source of water ample in quantity andcapable of being satisfactorily pressurized may be employed, using asmany pumps as needed.

The nozzles 160 may be arranged, directed, and spaced as desired. Forexample, the nozzles 160 nearest each wall 150 may be spaced six inchesfrom each wall 150 and, thereafter, equally spaced. The pressure andwater discharge from nozzles 160 may be selected by those skilled in theart. For example, one column of water at 50 psi may be used.

Apertured plate 154 comprises part of a primary boil box, generallydesignated 172 in FIG. 7. Apertured plate 154 rests by force of gravity,in the illustrated configuration, upon a lip or shoulder 174 fashionedin the vibration plate 132, as best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Screwsmay be used to removably secure plate 154 in its operative position. Theapertures 155 in plate 154 are illustrated as being of uniform diameterand relatively large, the size being selected to accommodate passage ofthe larger available nuggets from the ore through the apertures 155 tothe compartment 176 immediately below the plate 154. See FIG. 7.Vibration of the plate 132 as the sprayed (hydrated) ore moves down theplate 132 causes the ore to oscillate somewhat back and forth. Thiscauses the relatively heavy gold nuggets in the ore to begin to migratetoward the bottom of the stream of influent ore and to vibrate back andforth across the plate 154 where nuggets fall through the apertures 155into compartment 176. The size of apertures 155 may be selected by thoseskilled in the art. For example, each aperture 155 may comprise adiameter of 11/2 inches.

A second apertured plate 178 is disposed below and substantiallyparallel to top plate 154. Plate 176 may be held releasibly in positionby screws. Plate 176 defines the lower limit of compartment 176. Secondplate 176 comprises uniformly spaced and uniformly sized apertures 180.The size of each aperture 180 is selected so as to prevent passage ofthe relatively large nuggets therethrough, but accommodate passage ofintermediate sized and small nuggets as well as smaller pieces of goldfrom chamber 176 through the apertures 180 into lower chamber 182. Thesize of apertures 180 may be selected by those skilled in the art. Forexample, each aperture 180 may comprise a diameter of 3/4 inch.

Thus, the larger nuggets remain trapped in chamber 176 and areperiodically removed by shutting off the flow of water and ore, removingthe plate 154 and manually harvesting the large nuggets from chamber176.

Similarly, the intermediate sized nuggets are trapped in andperiodically removed from chamber 182, preferably at the same time thenuggets in compartment 176 are removed, by lifting plate 178 from theposition illustrated in FIG. 7 at the point in time when plate 154 hasbeen removed. The intermediate sized nuggets in chamber 182 arethereafter harvested. The plates 178 and 154 are manually returned totheir operative positions as illustrated in FIG. 7, with plate 178resting upon a shoulder 184. Plate 178 may be of any suitable material,for example, 1/4 inch hardened screen may be used.

The bottom wall 186, defining the lower portion of boil box 172, isinterrupted by a transverse slot 188 through which relatively smallnuggets and smaller particles of gold, residual particles of ore, andprimary (carrier) water and secondary water flow into atriangularly-shaped tank 190, formed preferably of welded steel.Triangular tank 190 comprises a hollow interior 192. Tank 190 comprisesa discharge pipe 194 and a valve 204, which controls discharge flow fromchamber 192 of tank 190 through discharge pipe 194.

During operation, secondary water, illustrated in FIG. 1 as beingobtained from recirculation water pond 34, is placed under high pressureand displaced by pump 44. This water is delivered across valve 196 (FIG.7) into a secondary water pipe 198 and along a rubber hose 199. Hose 199discharges into an apertured header pipe 200. Transverse header pipe 200emits secondary water turbulently under high pressure from a series ofapertures 202 through aligned apertures 180 in plate 178 causingvigorous turbulence in chamber 176, driving some of the secondary waterupwardly through apertures 155 in plate 154 and the remainder downwardlyin a turbulent fashion through apertures 180 in plate 178 into bottomchamber 182 and thence through slot 188. The action of the secondarywater emitted under pressure from header pipe 200 is illustrated by theflow arrows shown in FIG. 7.

While other arrangements may be used, pipe 198 may be 11/2 inches indiameter and hose 199 may comprise a diameter of 3/4 of one inch. Use ofthe rubber hose 199 better accommodates vibration of plate 132 withoutdamage. While not critical, it is presently preferred that water fromheader 200 issuing upwardly through apertures 155 have a pressure on theorder of 1-2 pounds over ambient pressure. Slot 188 in the illustratedconfiguration may comprise an opening three inches in the direction ofone flow through the hydrating section 42.

After a certain interval of operation, chamber 192 will become full ofwater as will chamber 182. Nevertheless, the turbulence caused bysecondary water discharged from header pipe 200 continues to remove allof the solid particles in chamber 176 except for the large nuggets andall of the solid particles from chamber 182 except the intermediatesized nuggets.

Periodically, for example once every 24 hours, valve 204 is opened todrain the accumulated water, small nuggets, small gold particles, andore from chamber 192 and deliver the same via pipe 194 to trough 52 forfurther processing. See FIGS. 1 and 7. While those skilled in the artmay make an appropriate selection, pipe 194 may have a diameter of fourinches.

The Hydrated Vibration Grizzly-Scalper

One suitable ore segregator 54, identified in FIG. 1 as a hydratedvibration grizzly-scalper, comprises a two-deck grizzly-scalperavailable from Hewitt-Robins, Columbia, S.C. More specifically, theHewitt-Robins heavy duty VIBREX two-deck vibrator is suitable, with thetop deck comprising sets of grizzly rails capable of passing ore of onepredetermined size is preferred. While not a limitation of the presentinvention, the grizzly rails or grizzly rods may be selected to pass oreequal to or less than four inches in size. The bottom deck comprises aplanar member with apertures of a desired size which passes ore ofanother smaller predetermined size. For example, but not by way oflimitation as to the present invention, the apertures in the lowerplanar member may be rectangular or square in configuration where theore capable of passing will be on the order of three-quarter inch,although the diagonal dimension of each aperture, being one inch, willpermit ore, when diagonally disposed, to pass which is slightly largerthan three-quarter inch. The above-described grizzly-scalper featuresavailable in the VIBREX line from Hewitt-Robins are described inHewitt-Robins Catalog 2106-B-5M-0784.

As an addition to the Hewitt-Robins grizzly-scalper mentioned above,segregator 54 also comprises hydrating system 210 comprising a series ofoverhead water spraying headers 262, shown in FIGS. 8-10.

With specific reference to FIG. 8, it can readily be seen that thegrizzly-scalper 54 is supported upon a skid 212, which may have andpreferably has the characteristics previously described in conjunctionwith skid 126. Skid 212 is supported in a horizontal orientation uponthe ground 128, being stabilized in position by two transverselyoriented I-beams 130, which are buried in the ground 128 so that the topsurface of the top flange of each is flush with the surface of theground 128 and contiguous with the lower surface of the skid 212. Withreference to FIG. 2, it can be seen that skid 212 is located at anelevation below the elevation at which skid 126 is horizontally located.A planar barrier 214, equal in transverse length to the transversedimension of skid 212 prevents soil to the right and above skid 212 (asshown in FIG. 2) from sluffing off onto the skid 212. Earth barrier 214is supported in position by a plurality of short columns 216, which areconnected by an I-beam 218 to the skid 226.

The Hewitt-Robins grizzly-scalper portion of segregator 54 is generallydesignated 220 in FIGS. 8-10. The grizzly-scalper segment 220 and thehydrating section 210 superimposed thereon are supported at each sidenear the rear by column members 222 and a set of vertically orientedsprings 224 in tandem, the lower ends of which rest upon a base member226. Base member 226 is in turn supported by a pair of columns 228,contiguously interposed between base 226 and skid 212.

Similarly, front or downstream support is provided on each side of thegrizzly-scalper 220 and the hydrating section 210. Specifically, on eachside a column member 230 contiguously supports the grizzly-scalper 220,which in turn is supported by a plurality of vertically oriented springs232 arranged in tandem. Springs 232 rest upon a base member 234, whichin turn is supported upon two side-by-side columns 236. Columns 236 areinterposed contiguously between base 234 and skid 212.

Thus, the grizzly-scalper 220 is resiliently suspended upon two sets ofsprings 224, one on each side, and two sets of springs 232, one set oneach side. This minimizes damage as the grizzly-scalper 220 is vibratedby an eccentric 238, powered by a motor 240. As can be observed fromFIG. 8, the grizzly-scalper 220 is disposed at a substantial angle tothe horizontal so that vibration thereof not only segregates the ore byweight as it passes therethrough, but causes the ore to be continuouslydisplaced through the grizzly-scalper 220 from right to left, as viewedin FIG. 8.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the grizzly-scalper 220 comprisesspaced steel sidewalls 242, defining a space therebetween compatiblewith the space between walls 150 of the hydrating section 42. Surfacesof grizzly-scalper 220 subjected to ore abrasion are preferably coveredwith a layer of UHMWPE. The stream of raw ore issuing from hydratingsection 42 enters an opening 244 which has a predetermined width whichis compatible with the ore stream width. This stream of raw ore isdisplaced along successive sets of grizzly bars 246. The three sets ofgrizzly bars are set or spaced to accommodate passage of ore particleshaving a predetermined size, for example a four inch or less size.Vibration of the grizzly-scalper 220 will cause the boulders greaterthan a four inch size to migrate across the sets of grizzlies 246 and toenter a chute generally designated 250 which comprises sloped spacedfingers 252, arranged side-by-side. Very large boulders continue downalong the top surface of the fingers 252, falling off the distal endsthereof onto the ground at site 56, for either storage or removalpurposes as deemed best for the operation in question. Boulders greaterthan four inch and less than very large boulders fall downwardly atchute 250 through the spaces between the fingers 252 through a channel253, which opens at bottom 255, onto conveyor 58.

Chute 250 is supported in an elevated position upon a plurality ofcolumns 254 on each side such that the slope of fingers 254 is at agreater angle to the horizontal than is the slope of grizzly-scalper220. This insures continuous displacement of the large boulders onto,across, and through the fingers 252 of chute 250. The columns 254 whichsupport chute 250 are supported upon I-beams, which rest upon the groundhaving a horizontal surface 257, which is substantially below theelevation of skid 212. A barrier 259, which may comprise a concreteblock wall, prevent the earth above surface 257 from sluffing down intothe region where conveyor 58 is located.

Ore ingressing through opening 244 of and displaced throughgrizzly-scalper 220 is subjected to spray from header nozzles 260extending generally downwardly and at a rearward acute angle to thevertical from each of several overhead header water supply pipes 262,only one of which is illustrated in FIG. 9, for purposes of clarity. Theothers are illustrated in FIG. 8. With valve 264 (FIG. 9) in an openposition, water from pond 34, delivered across filter 46 and driven bypump 44 is delivered at high pressure and in large quantity to thehydrating section 210 by pipe 266. The influent water in pipe 266 isdelivered to water manifold 267 on one side of the grizzly-scalper 220and from thence through overhead pipe 268 to a second manifold pipe 270on the other side of the grizzly-scalper 220. Manifold pipes 267 and 270are supported in a position substantially parallel and directly adjacentthe top surface of the opposed walls 242, being held in that position bya plurality of triangularly-shaped steel brackets 272, which spanbetween and are welded to manifolds 267 and 270, respectively, and theopposed sidewalls 242 at the outside surface thereof.

The spacing between the nozzles 260 of any header 262 is illustrated asbeing uniform. The number of headers 262 and the number of nozzles 260and the spacing may be selected by those skilled in the art to optimizeperformance depending on the nature of any given operation. Four nozzlesper nozzle header are illustrated in FIG. 9. The outside nozzles arespaced a short distance, for example, six inches, from the insidesurface of each wall 242.

In the configuration of FIG. 1, it is preferred that pump 44 deliverapproximately 4,000 gallons per minute to hydrating unit 210 via pipe266. Pipe 266 is preferably, there/ore, typically on the order often-twelve inches in diameter.

Correspondingly, nozzles 260, extending from all of the header pipes262, collectively deliver to the ore displaced along the top deck of thegrizzly-scalper 220 approximately 4,000 gallons per minute of highpressure spray water. This water not only blasts gold from the surfaceof the ore, but substantially hydrates the ore ultimately processed sothat the mix of ore and water flow substantially as a fluid. A ratio byweight of about 25% ore and 75% water processed for gold recovery issuitable for the illustrated configuration.

FIG. 10 illustrates the second or lower deck of the grizzly-scalpersection 220. The lower deck, designated 290, comprises a rectangularrecess 292 near the discharge end, in which a correspondingly sizedrectangular plate 294 is placed. Plate 294 is preferably formed of a oneinch sheet of rigid UHMWPE. The plate 294 comprises a plurality ofspaced apertures, which may be arranged in aligned columns and lines asillustrated, or otherwise arranged. The configuration or shape of theopenings 292 is not critical. However, the openings 296 may berectangular or square, as illustrated. The apertures 296 are shaped,sized, and arranged to accommodate passage of ore particles having apredetermined size to optimize hydration and fluid displacement thereofwith the above-described carrier water and to optimize gold recovery inthe manner explained below. In the illustrated configuration, theapertures 296 are illustrated as being square and may be dimensioned soas to be three quarters of one inch in each direction and, therefore,one inch in diagonal dimension.

As the hydrated ore particles of a first larger predetermined size, suchas four inches and less, pass between the vibrating sets of grizzly bars246 (FIG. 9), these ore particles land, together with the hydratingcarrier water, upon the upper surface of lower deck 290 and movedownwardly due to the vibration of the grizzly-scalper 220 by eccentric238 and the slope of lower deck 290, which is either the same orsubstantially the same as the slope at the top deck of thegrizzly-scalper 220. The vibration of grizzly-scalper 220 shifts the oretransversely back and forth somewhat as it slides down the lower deck290 so that particles equal to and less than the size of apertures 296fall into splitter 62 (FIG. 1 ) through the apertures 296 of plate 294together with substantially all of the hydrating carrier water. Theremaining ore particles within a size range equal to and less than thosepermitted to pass through or between the grizzly rods 246, but too largeto pass through apertures 296 are discharged from the downstream end ofthe lower deck 290 onto conveyor 64 and from thence to waste pile 60.See FIG. 1.

Thus, the ore particles delivered to the grizzly-scalper 220 are notonly hydrated by copious amounts of water issuing from hydrating section210 to remove surface gold and to fluidize the ore, but the ore itselfis separated into four groups comprising pieces of four predeterminedsizes, i.e., (1) the very large boulders, which are issued to site 56,(2) boulders or large pieces of ore less in size than the largeboulders, but greater in size than those pieces of a predetermined sizecapable of passing between chute fingers 252 to conveyor 58, (3) thosepieces of ore which can pass through the grizzly rods 246, but notthrough the apertures 296 which are delivered to conveyor 64, and (4)the ore pieces or particles, together with substantially all of thecarrier water, which pass through apertures 296 as influent to thesplitter 62.

In the preferred configuration of FIG. 1, the size of ore particlespassed through the lower deck 290 to the splitter 62 will be no greaterthan on the order of three-quarters of one inch and smaller.Substantially all of the 4,000 gallons per minute of water deliveredfrom headers 262 will likewise pass through the lower deck 290 to thesplitter 62. Thus, the ore and water displaced from the grizzly-scalperunit 54 to the splitter 62 comprises the gold-bearing ore of a lesserpredetermined size range segregated from the raw influent ore andsubstantially all of the hydrating water delivered by pump 44 to thehydrated vibration grizzly-scalper 54.

The Splitter

One suitable splitter or flow divider is illustrated at 62 in FIGS. 1,8, and 11. The previously described effluent-to-be processed issuingfrom the hydrated vibration grizzly-scalper 54, which passes throughapertures 296 in lower deck plate 294, collectively enters splitter 62.Splitter 62 comprises an influent end 300 and an effluent end 302. Theintermediate portion of the splitter 62 comprises an exterior wall 304,which circumferentially spans the full 360° around the splitter 62 andis impervious to the ore-water mixture displaced through the splitter62.

In the fully open position as shown in solid lines in FIG. 11, splitter62 divides the single influent stream of ore-water mixture into fourstreams or substreams of ore-water mix, respectively discharged from thesplitter 62 at the effluent end 302 through discharge channels 306, 308,310, and 312, respectively. Channels 306, 308, 310, and 312 are definedby three interior dividers 64, 66, and 68 in conjunction withcircumferential wall 304. As can be seen from observation of FIG. 11,the barrier 64, 66, and 68 are successively and equally spaced toprovide, dimensionally, effluent chambers of substantially the samesize.

Barriers 64 and 68 comprise rotatable gates wherein a gate blade 314, ineach case, is integrally joined to a pivot arm or pin 72, journaled in abushing 316. The pivot pin or arm 72 of each gate blade 314 extendsimperviously from the interior of the splitter 62, is exposed at theexterior of the splitter 62 (see FIG. 8), and is manually grasped toselectively rotate either blade 314 to either of the two dottedpositions illustrated in FIG. 11. Barrier or divider 66 is fixed in itsposition as illustrated in FIG. 11, being welded or otherwise suitablysecured to wall 304. While either effluent channel 306 or 308 may beclosed at any point in time and either channel 310 or 312 closed at anyparticular time, by the above-described manual rotation of blades 314,ordinarily, only one flow channel 306, 308,310, or 312 will be closed atany one point in time to terminate flow to any desired trough 52, 74,76, and 78. Closing, as described, of any given trough will ordinarilybe for recovery of gold collected at various recovery sites along theclosed trough or, alternatively, to accommodate repairs.

As seen in FIG. 8, the effluent channels 306, 308,310, and 312 may besupported in aligned relationship upon a series of short columns 320, toprovide support and stability. The columns 320 are contiguouslyinterposed between the lower portion of wall 304 and the top of skid212, in load transferring relation.

The interior surfaces of the splitter 62, which are subject to abrasivewear by the ore displaced therethrough, will preferably be coated orlined with a layer of UHMWPE to increase the useful life thereof. Thisincludes not only the interior surface of wall 304, but the exposedsurfaces of the stationary barrier wall 66 and the hinge splitter gates64 and 68. This increase of useful life can be very significantconsidering that preferably the discharge from each channel 306, 308,310, and 312 will comprise 1,000 gallons per minute of water togetherwith the segregated ore discharged from the grizzly-scalper 54 forprocessing.

The Substream Troughs

Suitable configurations for the substream troughs are illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 11-21, the substream troughs being designated, respectively,as troughs 52, 74, 76, and 78. While the troughs are depicted as linedrawings in FIG. 1 and as comprising single walls of uniform thicknessbetween troughs in FIG. 11, in many, if not most, installations eachtrough will be self-contained and divided into longitudinal sections ofreasonable length for ease of assembly and disassembly.

For example, one way of sectionalizing any of the troughs is illustratedin FIG. 23. A first trough section, generally designated 313, of anydesired length, is connected in butt (end-to-end) relationship withanother trough section generally designated 315. Trough section 313comprises a blunt trailing edge 317, which is vertically directed, whilesection 315 comprises a vertically directed blunt edge 319. Edge 319 isinterrupted by a male tab 321, which may be a one-quarter inch by oneinch steel strap welded to edge 319 of section 315.

Correspondingly, edge 317 of trough section 313 is interrupted by afemale recess 323, which may be formed of a U-shaped piece of steelwelded to section 313 as illustrated in FIG. 22. The location, size, andshape of male tab 321 and female opening 323 are such that the two fitsnugly together to provide the desired alignment between the troughsection 313 and 315. Welded to the top surface of each of two opposedsidewalls 330 of section 313 is an angular deflector plate 325, weldedto the top edge of section 313 at each trough vertical wall 330. Theupwardly-directed leg of deflector plate 325 serves to assist inaligning sections 313 and 315 as the two are assembled together so thattab 321 is caused to be suitably introduced into recess 323.

Self-contained or independently constructed troughs are illustrated inFIG. 16, which also shows the substantial slope in respect to thehorizontal in which the troughs are positioned prior to and during use.The troughs may rest upon the ground or be structurally supported abovethe ground. The troughs illustrated in FIG. 16 have the dynamicsegregation boxes and other interior structure removed for clarity.

Furthermore, to illustrate adaptability and diversification, the troughs52, 74, 76, and 78 are illustrated in FIG. 1 as turning through 90° tothe right, whereas these troughs are illustrated in FIG. 11 as turningthrough 90° to the left. Independent of the direction through which eachtrough turns, the essential structural makeup and purposes of eachtrough remain the same. Again, to demonstrate diversity, part of thetroughs in FIGS. 1 and 11 are illustrated as being contiguous troughs upto the rotation through 90° and as being spaced one from the otherthereafter. To the contrary, the self-contained troughs illustrated inFIG. 16 are illustrated as being contiguously side-by-side aftertraversing the 90° turn.

The sized ore displaced by carrier water turbulently from each channel306, 308, 310, and 312 of the splitter 62 abrasively enters andabrasively flows through each trough. Accordingly, the interior of thetroughs are high wear area and typically are lined or coated with alayer of UHMWPE, to extend the useful life of each trough and thecomponents disposed within each trough. It is readily apparent from theschematic of FIG. 11 that each trough comprises opposed sidewalls 330,each having a depth substantially greater than the depth of flow of thestream or substream of ore-carrier water mixture displaced therethrough.

Each trough 52, 74, 76, and 78 comprises an influent region 332 disposedin alignment with each splitter channels 306, 308, 310, and 312, as bestillustrated in FIG. 11. The length of each influent segment 332 varies,because of the aligned nature of the troughs and because each turnsthrough 90° at corner 80. Each comer 80 is comprised of a deflectorplate 334, illustrated as extending vertically and being disposed atapproximately 45° to the influent channel 332 of each trough. Eachdeflector plate turns the substream being displaced through theassociated trough through essentially 90°. As mentioned earlier, in theillustrated configuration, the substream through each trough is verysubstantial, for example, 1,000 gallons of water plus sized ore perminute per trough. After turning through the 90° at deflector plate 334,each substream seriatim passes through boil box 82, over velocity plateor ramp 83, through slotted recovery section 86, along dynamicsegregation box 84, and down spillway 95 into sloped sump 96, in amanner which will be explained hereinafter in greater detail.

While other dimensions may be selected, each trough 52, 74, 76, and 78may be four feet wide and about one and one-half feet deep, except forthe trough boil box 82, as explained below.

The Trough Boil Box

One suitable trough boil box is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, beingthere generally designated 82. One boil box 82 is interposed between theinfluent trough channel 332 and the ramp 83 of each trough where thebottom surface 340 of the boil box is disposed substantially below thebottom location of the immediately adjacent influent section 332 and theexposed surface 342 of the adjacent ramp 83. The fact that the boil box82 has a depth substantially greater than the depth of adjacent influentand effluent structure in the trough provides a trap for the relativelyheavy gold particles displaced as part of the substream flowing throughthe trough suspended within the carrier water. While the exact depth maybe selected by those skilled in the art, a depth, for example, of twelveinches lower than adjacent bottom-defining structure will likely besuitable in most configurations. The trough boil box 82 in theillustrated configuration, may have a longitudinal dimension of abouteighteen inches.

Boil box 82 is disposed between and partially defined by two troughsidewalls 330, the adjacent influent channel 332, a bottom wall 344comprising top surface 340 and a rear wall 346. All walls are preferablyof steel, welded together and lined at the interior thereof with a layerof UHMWPE to absorb abrasive wear caused by ore being displaced by thecarrier water through the trough.

Bottom wall 344 is interrupted by an aperture 348, located very nearwall 344 mid-way between walls 330, which is in alignment with goldparticle collection pipe 350, the top end of which is welded to bottomwall 344. Gold collector pipe 350 is illustrated in FIG. 12 as beingL-shaped and as comprising a threaded lower end 352 which is closed by athreaded removable cap 354. While the gold collection tube 350 isillustrated as being threaded at 352 and capped at 354, other forms ofremovable closures could be used. Periodically, gold collected in tube350 is manually removed and delivered to gold house 50 when the troughassociated therewith is taken out of service, using one of the hingedgates 64 and 68, as explained above.

As seen in FIG. 12, the right trough wall 330 is interrupted by anaperture 356, through which a header pipe 358 extends. Header pipe 358is closed at end 360 and comprises a plurality of nozzle apertures 362directed generally counter to the substream flow through the associatedtrough and boil box 82. The nozzle apertures 362 are illustrated asbeing uniformly spaced across the transverse dimension of boil box 82,with each outside nozzle aperture 362 being spaced a reasonabledistance, for example six inches, from the adjacent interior surface ofeach wall 330. The size of nozzle apertures 362 may be selected by thoseof skill in the art, one-half inch in diameter being typically suitablewhere four nozzle apertures 362 are used.

Secondary water supplied, for example, from recirculation of water pond34 (FIG. 1) displaced across one or more pumps 84 is delivered viasupply pipe 364 and from thence to each header pipe 358 for delivery toeach boil box 82. This secondary water is issued through nozzleapertures 362 sufficient to turbulate vigorously the ore moving throughboil box 82, by which gold particles are caused to be separated from theremainder of the ore and to precipitate to the bottom of the boil box 82coming to rest in the gold collection tube 350, which may be of anysuitable diameter. For example four inches is typically suitable. Whilethose skilled in the art may select any suitable size for supply tube364 and header tubes 358, in the configuration illustrated in theFigures, a four inch diameter supply tube and three inch header tubesare suitable. While the rate of secondary water delivered by each headerpipe 358 to each boil box 82 may be varied, typically 100 gallons perheader per minute at 25 pounds per square inch is typicallysatisfactory.

The Velocity Plate

In the configuration illustrated and described in this specification, avelocity plate section or ramp 83 is positioned immediately downstreamfrom each trough boil box 82. FIG. 17 illustrates a suitable velocityplate section. Velocity plate section 83, in reference to FIG. 17, iswedge-shaped in its configuration and constitutes an upwardly inclinedramp across which all of the ore-carrier water mixture discharged fromthe associated boil box 82 flows. The velocity plate 83 has a widthsubstantially equal to the width between the interior surfaces of thetwo walls 330. See FIG. 12. The weight of each ramp 83 holds the ramp 83in the position illustrated in FIG. 12 between the associated upstreamboil box 82 and the associated downstream slotted section 86. Bondoautomotive body putty may be used also to hold the velocity platesection 83 in position or to hold any other unattached component in thedesired location.

While various other ramp or velocity plate configurations can be used,the one illustrated in FIG. 17 comprises a bottom planar plate 380formed of sheet steel, preferably AR grade, disposed generallyhorizontally. Plates 380 may have a longitudinal dimension (in thedirection of flow of two feet, although other distances could be used).Velocity plate section 83 also comprises a top planar plate 382, alsopreferably formed of AR grade sheet steel, disposed at an acute angle384 to the horizontal. Consequently, the proximal ends 386 and 388 ofplates 380 and 382 contiguously converge and are preferably weldedtogether at that location. While any number of angles can be selected,an angle on the order of 10° may be suitable.

The velocity plate or ramp 83 is illustrated as comprising a verticallyoriented end plate 390, contiguously interposed between the distal ends392 and 394 of plates 380 and 382, respectively. Plate 390 is preferablywelded in the position illustrated in FIG. 17.

An intermediate plate 396 is interposed centrally between the two plates380 and 382, being sized so as to preserve the planar nature of plate382. For purposes of being generally illuminating, a layer 398 of UHMWPEis superimposed upon and attached to the plate 382. Exposed surface 342comprises the top surface of wear resistant UHMWPE layer 398.

The primary purpose of velocity plate section 83 is to lift theore-water mixture crossing the velocity plate to an elevation sufficientto best accommodate the desired downstream flow through slotted section86 and dynamic segregation box 98, located immediately downstream fromthe slotted section 86.

The Slotted Section

While various slotted section configurations could be selected, slottedsection 86, as illustrated, is suitable for gold recovery in at leastsome if not most configurations of the present invention. Each trough52, 74, 76, and 78 comprises a slotted section 86 disposed between thevelocity plate section 83 and the dynamic segregation box 94. To betterunderstand the specific construction of each slotted section 86,reference is now made to FIGS. 12-15 and 17A. Since all slotted sections86 are the same, as illustrated, only one slotted section 86 will bedescribed.

As illustrated in FIG. 17A, each trough at its slotted section 86comprises a bottom trough layer or wall 410, preferably of steel, forexample AR grade, in which four parallel diagonally disposed slots 88are formed. While parallel slots are preferred and while a diagonalorientation is also preferred, other slot arrangements are within thescope of the present invention. The slots 88 illustrated in FIG. 1 arediagonally oriented so that the lower portion thereof away from theassociated comer 80, while the slots 88 illustrated in FIG. 12 areoppositely diagonally oriented. The slots 88 accept or receive goldparticles which are at or near the bottom surface 412. Thus, eachslotted section 86 comprises a second gold recovery site sequentiallydisposed along each trough.

A lower independent frame, generally designated 414, is placed in eachtrough so that the lower surface 416 rests upon top surface 412. Theframe 414 is not attached to the associated trough. The lower frame 4 14comprises two rectangular side bars 418, which run parallel to thetrough and have an out-to-out dimension transverse of the trough onlyslightly less than the width of the trough between the interior surfacesof walls 330. Enough play or space is provided to allow manual insertionand removal of frame 414. It is preferred that the lower frame 414comprises a plurality of sections arranged successively in end-to-endbutt relationship, to accommodate ease of insertion and removal by hand.The side bars 418 are connected together by pairs of transverse rods420. The zenith of top surface of each rod 420 lies generally in thesame plane as that which contains the top surface 422 of the side bars418. While other sizes could be used, bars 418 may be one-quarter inchthick and one inch in height. The rod may be one-half inch in diameter.

A top or upper frame, generally designated 430, is superimposed upon topsurface 422 but unattached to the bottom flame 414 and unattached to thetrough. Frame 430 is retained in the position illustrated in FIG. 17A byits weight, the respective widths of flames 414 and 430 beingsubstantially the same.

Preferably frames 414 and 430 are formed of steel, such as AR qualitysteel. The upper frame 430 comprises opposed side bars 432, which arerectangular in cross-section. While other dimensions may be used, sidebars 432 may be one-quarter inch thick and two inches in height. The twobars 432 comprise top surface 431, a bottom surface 433, and are spacedfrom each other on an out-to-out basis so as to be slightly smaller intransverse dimension than the distance between the interior surfaces ofopposed trough sidewalls 330, to allow ease of manual insertion andremoval. Preferably top frame 430 is sectionalized into relatively shortmanually manipulable segments or sections which are arranged end-to-endto form the completed frame 430 in each trough.

Upper frame 430 comprises transverse barriers, each generally designated440, which extend transverse of the trough between the opposed side bars432 and are secured thereto, for example, by welding. Preferably, eachbarrier 440 are formed of high quality steel, such as AR grade. Allexposed surfaces subject to ore abrasion forming part of slotted section86 are preferably covered with UHMWPE, to extend useful life.

The bottom edge 442 of each barrier 440 is at an elevation illustratedas being parallel to the top surface 422 of the two side bars 418. Eachbarrier 440 is illustrated as comprising a structural angle having afirst leg 444, disposed in a vertical direction, and a second leg 446,illustrated as being disposed at an angle to both the horizontal and thevertical. Leg 444 has a vertical dimension illustrated as beinggenerally equal to the height of bars 432. Each leg 446 is periodicallyapertured in a transverse direction and a bolt assembly 448 placedthrough each aperture by which a yieldable fin, paddle, or flap 450 issecured to the underside of the leg 446, in contiguous relation. Eachflap 450 extends transversely essentially across the entire trough andis cantilevered from its connection to angle leg 446 in an upward anddownstream direction. Each flap 450 may be slit at 451 at variouslocations, as desired.

As explained herein in greater detail, the flow of turbulent carrierwater-ore mixture through each slotted section 86 causes the flaps 450to flex up and down at the free end. This causes turbulent ore-water mixintroduced into each compartment 452 between each two consecutivebarriers 440 to vigorously revolve upon itself, enhancing separation andsedimentation of gold particles.

As best illustrated in FIG. 17A, a rectangular piece of a porous screenor wire, generally designated 460, is manually inserted so as to rest byforce of gravity upon the fore and aft transverse rods 420 exposed ineach compartment 452. While other forms of apertured material could beused, wedge wire stainless steel screen having apertures between thelongitudinal and transverse wire portions comprising a size on the orderof three-quarters of one inch will be suitable. The revolving turbulentore-water flow within each compartment 452 of each slotted section 86will cause the gold particles to precipitate through the apertures inthe screen segments 460 into that portion of the trough located belowthe pairs of rods 420. The flow below the screen sections 460 is laminarin the slotted sections 86, which means that the particles of gold beloweach screen segment 460 will move slowly with the current along thebottom surface 412 and will fall and/or be drawn into the diagonal slots88. While other configurations could be used, four diagonally disposedslots 88, each having a one-half inch width and extending diagonallyessentially entirely across the width of the trough will be suitable inmost configurations. While other angles could be used, an acute angle462 (FIG. 12) of about 60° is suitable for most configurations.

Gold particles having a size of about three-quarters of one inch willpass through one of the screen segments 460, but the larger ones are toolarge to pass into one of the slots 88. These accumulate in region 462(FIG. 17A), where upwardly directed yieldable blades 464 commence.Blades 464 will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. The goldparticles at the bottom of section 86 having a size from slightly lessthan one-half of one inch and smaller pass through the slots 88.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 13-15, which illustrate a manner in whichsecondary water is used to draw gold particles downwardly through eachslot 88, to enhance gold recovery. Each diagonally disposed slot 88, asbest illustrated in FIG. 13, empties into an asymmetric conduit 470disposed below and in aligned relation with the associated slot 88.Conduit 470 has a relatively small inlet at 472 into which secondarywater, illustrated in FIG. 1 as being delivered from pond 34 across apump 84, is introduced under pressure across valve 474, valve 474 beingin the open position. The cross-sectional area of the asymmetrical tube470 increases in the direction of flow through tube 470 so that thecross-sectional area at the exit site 476 has the largest cross-sectionand is substantially larger in cross-section than at the entry site 472.Thus, as flow in each tube 470 occurs from left to right, as illustratedin FIG. 13, it expands and slows.

The flow of secondary water through each asymmetrical tube 470 drawssome carrier water and gold particles downwardly through the associatedslot 88 into the tube 470. Note that slot 88 is centrally disposed abovethe tube 470 through its entire length. Secondary water, some carrierwater, and gold particles exiting discharge site 476 of tube 470 arecollectively displaced along a tube 480 by pump 90 to at least one andnormally a series of successively disposed mineral jigs 92 (FIG. 1).

Each mineral jig 92 (FIG. 1 ) is preferably a commercially availablemineral jig. For example, Rahco mineral jigs, available from R. A.Hanson Company, Inc. of Spokane, Wash., may be used to recover goldparticles from the mixture flowing through each tube 480. The goldrecovered at mineral jigs 92 is physically delivered to gold house 50.Typically, a Rahco 42 inch by 42 inch duplex vibrating 10 mesh jig issuitable for each slotted section 86. Such jigs are cleaned out everyone to two days.

The diameter of pipe 470 at the effluent end 476 is normally smaller indiameter than the diameter of tube 480. While not by way of limitation,end 476 may have a diameter of three inches, for example, while tube 480is comprised of a diameter of four inches, for example.

While variations in the longitudinal length of slotted section 86, i.e.,in the direction of flow, may vary, an eight foot longitudinal length inwhich the four slots 88 are disposed in a uniformly spaced fashion willbe satisfactory in most configurations.

The top edge 431 of each bar 432 is preferably substantially alignedwith the upper downstream end of layer 398 of ramp or velocity plate 83.

The Dynamic Segregation Box

While other configurations, within the scope of the present invention,could be utilized, the dynamic segregation box or segment illustrated inthe Figures, used in each trough 52, 74, 76, and 78, is suitable in manyif not most configurations of the invention. In reference to FIG. 16, inthe illustrated configuration, one dynamic segregation box 94 will bepositioned in the central segment of each trough, i.e., in the portionof the troughs 52, 74, 76, and 78. Thus, as illustrated, the slope ofeach trough is steeper along the dynamic segregation box than in theportion of each trough upstream from the segregation box. While otherarrangements could be used, a slope within the range of two inches tothree inches per longitudinal foot of trough is typically satisfactorythrough each dynamic segregation box.

Fundamental similarities exist between each slotted section 86 and eachdynamic segregation box 94. These differences include: (1) an absence ofslots or other openings in the bottom member or floor 410 of the troughthrough each dynamic segregation box 94 (except at the discharge end),(2) an absence of the screen sections 460 in each dynamic segregationbox 94, and (3) the presence of upwardly directed yieldable blades 464in the dynamic segregation box, which blades are not present along theinterior surface 410 of the bottom wall 410 in the slotted section 86.

Yieldable upwardly-directed blades 464 may comprise the blades ofoutdoor carpet formed of synthetic resinous material, such as productCH10 available from Monsanto Chemical. The blades 464 have a height onthe order of the depth of side bars 418. The weight of the carpet andengagement of the blades 464 with the cross rods 420 removably hold thecarpet in its installed position.

While any length may be selected for each trough segment in which onedynamic segregation box 94 is placed, a suitable length may comprisefour ten-foot successive sections of the trough in which forty feet ofdynamic segregation components are placed. These dynamic segregationcomponents may also be sectionalized in any length accommodating manualmanipulation. For example, the components may be in two foot sectionsplaced end to end. While other arrangements can be used, in theillustrated configuration, it is preferred that each bar 418 have adepth of one inch, each bar 432 have a depth of four inches. The spacingbetween each pair of rods may be set at one and one-half inches and thespacings between vertical barrier legs 444 between successive barriers440 may be set at eight inches. Each flap 450 may have a dimension inthe direction of flow of about two and three-quarters inches and thatthe distance between the distal downstream edge of each flap 450 to thenext consecutive vertical leg 444 of barrier 440 may be approximatelyfive inches. In the illustrated configuration, each flap 450 may be slitat successive slits 451 where the spacing between slits is approximatelysix inches and the slits of successive flaps may be offset by threeinches, as best shown at the top of exploded perspective seen in FIG.18.

The flow of carrier water and ore through each dynamic segregation box94 is subdivided into three layers, i.e., a bottom layer generally orsubstantially between side bars 418, which is laminar, an intermediaterevolving and turbulent compartmentized layer within each compartment452, substantially confined between adjacent upright barrier legs 444and between side bars 432, and a top unobstructed turbulent layer abovethe side bars 432 to the top or water line of the substream flowingthrough the trough.

The intermediate flow layer is not continuous along the trough throughthe dynamic segregation box 94, but is formed primarily from carrierwater and ore initially disposed in the top flow layer. The compartments452 in which the middle layer flow occurs comprise middle flow layerimpervious barriers 440 disposed transversely of the trough and locatedsuccessively along the dynamic segregation box 94. As mentioned before,structural angles are preferred for barriers 440 and, while otherconfigurations can be used, in the illustrated configuration theincluded angle between barrier legs 444 and 446 may be on the order of112°. In the illustrated embodiment, that the top flow layer may be onthe order of four inches deep.

Each barrier 440 does not accommodate middle layer flow fromcompartment-to-compartment. Middle layer flow in one compartment mustmove up and down into the top and bottom flow layers, respectively, totraverse from one compartment to the next consecutive compartment.

Within each compartment 452, between successive barriers 440, the middleflow layer is revolving and highly turbulent as depicted by the arrowscontained within each compartment 52 in FIG. 21. This flow is enhancedby oscillation of the fins, paddles, or yieldable flaps or flippers 450,which may be formed of any suitable resilient yieldable elastomericmaterial, reinforced conveyor belt material being suitable. The flaps450 are caused to vigorously move up and down as illustrated in dottedlines in FIG. 21 responsive to the dynamics of flow in the top layer andthe adjacent middle layer of flow.

The oscillating or whipping motion of each transversely disposed,longitudinally extending cantilevered flap 450 enhances separation ofgold particles from the remainder of the ore and sedimentation of thegold particles from the middle flow layer into the bottom flow layer.Because of the nature of the flow through each dynamic segregation boxand particularly within each compartment 452, gold nuggets are drivendownstream in a given compartment 452 against the downstream barrier440, at the upstream wall of vertical leg 444, and accumulate at andbelow the lowest portion of said vertical wall 444, as shown in FIG. 20.

The bottom laminar flow layer between side bars 418 occurs through theupright yieldable fingers or blades 464 which damp the flow and causesmaller gold particles contained in the flow to accumulate between theblades. The pairs of rods 420 extending transversely within the bottomlaminar flow layer, one on each side of each vertical leg 444,accommodate laminar flow between compartments in the bottom layer bothover and under the transverse rods 420.

As mentioned earlier, the flow to any of the troughs may be temporarilydiscontinued by manual rotation of either valve gate 64 or 68 insplitter 62 to temporarily shut off the flow thereto. Thereafter, goldaccumulated immediately upstream of each vertical wall 444 and betweenthe upstanding blades 464 is manually recovered and delivered to thegold house 50.

The distal or downstream end of each dynamic segregation box isillustrated as comprising a segment 97 comprising a single slot 99. Inthe illustrated configuration, slot 99 is constructed and associatedwith ancillary components so as to be substantially identical to thepreviously described slot 88, no further description is needed. See inparticular FIG. 1. Note that secondary water is delivered to eachsegment 97 to flow in a confined tube, as described in conjunction withslot 88, beneath slot 99 to remove small particles of residual gold,which are caused to flow through pump 90 to one or a series of mineraljigs 92 for recovery of the gold.

The Spillway

Spent ore and carrier water mix discharged from each trough 52, 74, 76,and 78 respectively flows by gravity down a spillway 95, which may beformed of steel, into a channel shaped sump 96. FIG. 16 shows eachspillway 95 as comprising a U-shaped discharge channel or chute, havinga slope steeper than the slope of the portion of each trough in whichthe dynamic segregation box 94 is disposed. All interior wear surfacesof each spillway 95 are preferably coated with UHMWPE to extend theuseful life thereof.

The Sump

The discharge down each spillway 95 dumps the spent carrier water andore from each trough into a single sump 96. Sump 96 comprises a slottedsection substantially identical to any of the previously describedslotted sections 86, each of which comprises four slots 88. Secondarywater from pump 84 is delivered to a tube at the underside of each slotof sump 96, such that secondary water, some carrier water, and fineparticles containing micro-fine gold are collectively displaced by pump98 to slime pond 100, as best seen in FIG. 100.

The channel-shaped sump 96 may be four feet deep, four feet wide, andeight feet long, for example, although other configurations could beused. A slope such that the end-to-end drop in elevation is about fivefeet is suitable.

The Sand Screw

Conventional, commercially available sand screws exist by which, asshown in FIG. 1 at site 102, the fine particles and water are separatedand delivered to slime pump 106, while the other large solid particlesare displaced so as to be delivered to conveyor 104 and from thence towaste pile 60. An Eagle or Torsen sludge pump available from Torgesoncomprising a 40 inch diameter and a 20 foot longitudinal length issuitable.

The Slime Pump

Slime pump 106 may be any suitable commercial slurry pump such as the12×10 slurry pump available from Ash.

The Use of UHMWPE

As stated previously, surfaces of the system 30 subjected to abrasivewear by ore traveling therethrough are preferably lined with a layer ofUHMWPE. The UHMWPE is commercially available in sheets. With referenceto FIG. 24, each of these sheets 500 is predrilled to create an array ofholes 502 locations for receipt of threaded studs 504. A stud weldinggun is used to weld each stud 504 at its lower end 506 to the associatedsteel plate 508 at site 510. The length of each stud 504 is selected sothat the distal end thereof is within the countersunk hole 502 withwhich it is associated. While not restrictive, the threaded studs 504may a length of one inch and a 3/8 inch diameter.

Once the threaded studs 504 are appropriately welded to the associatedsteel sheet 508, with the layer or sheet of UHMWPE in place asillustrated in FIG. 24, a large washer 512, the diameter of whichsubstantially exceeds the smaller of the two diameters of hole 502 ispositioned as illustrated in FIG. 24 and a nut 514 is threaded onto stud504 until it has been firmly tightened.

Where appropriate an angle 520 may be welded at the top of avertically-directed sheet of steel 508. Where both sides of a sheet ofsteel are to be covered with UHMWPE, an inverted channel may be used inlieu of the angle 520.

At any point in time when it is desired to replace a used sheet ofUHMWPE with another sheet of UHMWPE, the nuts 514 and washer 512 aresimply removed, the used sheet 500 removed and discarded, and a newsheet 500 of UHMWPE, properly apertured, placed in the position shown inFIG. 4, following which each washer 512 and each nut 514 are againassembled on each stud 504.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit of essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrativeand are not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated bythe appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
 1. Agold recovery apparatus comprising:a trough in which a stream of ore andcarrier water turbulently flows; at least one flow constraint by whichflow adjacent to a trough bottom region is slowed to laminar flow; atleast one slot disposed in the bottom region into which gold particlesmove from the laminar flow; a passageway disposed below and in liquidcommunication with the slot whereby flow in the passageway of secondarywater from any, source enhances entry of gold particles into the slot.2. A method of recovering gold comprising the steps of:displacing astream of ore in carrier water turbulently along a confinedpredetermined course; slowing the flow adjacent a bottom region of theconfined predetermined course to laminar flow; moving gold particleswithin the bottom laminar flow into at least one bottom slot; displacingsecondary water along a passageway below and in liquid communicationwith the bottom slot to enhance entry of gold particles into the slot.3. A gold recovery apparatus comprising:a trough in which a stream ofore and carrier water turbulently flows; a plurality of rigid barriersby which flow adjacent to a trough bottom region is slowed to laminarflow rigid barriers dividing the trough into compartments where flow ineach compartment is both revolving and turbulent and is disposedimmediately above the laminar flow; yieldable blades disposed in thebottom region such that the blades extend upwardly intersecting thelaminar flow to enhance deposition of gold particles between the blades;pairs of transverse bars below and slightly fore and aft of each barrierwithin and forcing the laminar flow, to displace above and below eachbar, some of the yieldable blades contiguously engaging each bar.
 4. Amethod of recovering gold comprising the steps of:displacing a stream ofore in carrier water turbulently along a confined predetermined course;slowing the flow adjacent to a bottom region of the confinedpredetermined course to laminar flow; causing upwardly directedyieldable blades to intersect the laminar flow to enhance deposition ofgold particles between the blades; holding the yieldable blades in placeat least in part by contiguous engagement with spaced transverse rods.5. A gold recovery apparatus comprising:a trough in which a stream ofore and carrier water to a predetermined depth turbulently flows so asto generally define a top water line, the trough comprising a bottomrealm of laminar flow below the compartment; spaced rigid barriers whichtransversely divide the trough into compartments, each compartment beingdisposed substantially below the water line such that flow above thebarriers is generally continuously turbulent and flow between thebarriers is both turbulent and revolving to enhance sedimentation ofgold particles in a downward direction; upwardly directed yieldableblades extending from a mat are disposed in the bottom realm tointersect the laminar flow thereby enhancing gold particle sedimentationbetween the blades; spaced rods disposed immediately fore and aft andbelow at least some of the barriers each in an elevated position withinthe laminar flow so that each rod is contiguously engaged by theyieldable blades to restrain the mat.
 6. A gold recovery apparatuscomprising:a trough in which a stream of ore and carrier water to apredetermined depth turbulently flows so as to generally define a topwater line; spaced rigid barriers which transversely divide the troughinto compartments, each compartment being disposed substantially belowthe water line such that flow above the barriers is generallycontinuously turbulent and flow between the barriers is both turbulentand revolving to enhance sedimentation of gold particles in a downwarddirection, the barriers comprising transversely disposed structuralangles comprising a first generally vertically directed leg and a secondleg disposed at an angle to the first leg; a flap connected to thesecond leg of at least one structural angle such that the flaposcillates to further turbulate adjacent flow thereby enhancingseparation and precipitation of gold particles.
 7. A gold recoveryapparatus comprising:a trough in which a stream of ore and carrier waterto a predetermined depth turbulently flows so as to generally define atop water line: spaced rigid barriers which transversely divide thetrough into compartments, each compartment being disposed substantiallybelow the water line such that flow above the barriers is generallycontinuously turbulent and flow between the barriers is both turbulentand revolving to enhance sedimentation of gold particles in a downwarddirection, the barriers comprising transversely disposed structuralangles comprising a first generally vertically directed leg and a secondleg disposed at an angle to the first leg; a flap connected to thesecond leg of at least one structural angle such that the flaposcillates to further turbulate adjacent flow thereby enhancingseparation and precipitation of gold particles; the flap being attachedto the second leg so as to cantilever counter to the general directionof flow.
 8. A gold recovery apparatus comprising:a trough in which astream of ore and carrier water to a predetermined depth turbulentlyflows so as to generally define a top water line; spaced rigid barrierswhich transversely divide the trough into compartments, each compartmentbeing disposed substantially below the water line such that flow abovethe barriers is generally continuously turbulent and flow between thebarriers is both turbulent and revolving to enhance sedimentation ofgold particles in a downward direction, the barriers comprisingtransversely disposed structural angles comprising a first generallyvertically directed leg and a second leg disposed at an angle to thefirst leg; a flap connected to the second leg of at least one structuralangle such that the flap oscillates to further turbulate adjacent flowthereby enhancing separation and precipitation of gold particles, theflap being attached to the second leg so as to cantilever counter to thegeneral direction of flow the flap being slit at spaced locations in adirection substantially the same as the longitudinal direction of thetrough.
 9. A gold recovery apparatus comprising:a trough in which astream of ore and carrier water to a predetermined depth turbulentlyflows so as to generally define a top water line; spaced rigid barrierswhich transversely divide the trough into compartments, each compartmentbeing disposed substantially below the water line such that flow abovethe barriers is generally continuously turbulent and flow between thebarriers is both turbulent and revolving to enhance sedimentation ofgold particles in a downward direction, the barriers comprisingtransversely disposed structural angles comprising a first generallyvertically directed leg and a second leg disposed at an angle to thefirst leg; a flap connected to the second leg of substantially all ofthe structural angles such that each flap oscillates to furtherturbulate flow in substantially all of the compartments to enhanceseparation and precipitation of gold particles.
 10. A gold recoveryapparatus comprising:a trough in which a stream of ore and carrier waterto a predetermined depth turbulently flows so as to generally define atop water line; spaced rigid barriers which transversely divide thetrough into compartments, each compartment being disposed substantiallybelow the water line such that flow above the barriers is generallycontinuously turbulent and flow between the barriers is both turbulentand revolving to enhance sedimentation of gold particles in a downwarddirection, the barriers comprising transversely disposed structuralangles comprising a first generally vertically directed leg and a secondleg disposed at an angle to the first leg; a flap connected to thesecond leg of substantially all of the structural angles such that eachflap oscillates to further turbulate flow in substantially all of thecompartments to enhance separation and precipitation of gold particles,the included angle between the first and second legs of substantiallyall of the angles is greater than 90° so that each flap connected to thesecond leg of substantially all of the angles extend both rearwardly andupwardly.
 11. A gold recovery apparatus comprising;a trough in which astream of ore and carrier water to a predetermined depth turbulentlyflows so as to generally define a top water line; spaced rigid barrierswhich transversely divide the trough into compartments, each compartmentbeing disposed substantially below the water line such that flow abovethe barriers is generally continuously turbulent and flow between thebarriers is both turbulent and revolving to enhance sedimentation ofgold particles in a downward direction, the barriers comprisingtransversely disposed structural angles comprising a first generallyvertically directed leg and a second leg disposed at an angle to thefirst leg; a flap connected to the second leg of substantially all ofthe structural angles such that each flap oscillates to furtherturbulate flow in substantially all of the compartments to enhanceseparation and precipitation of gold particles, the included anglebetween the first and second legs of substantially all of the angles ison the order of 112° so that each flap connected to the second leg ofsubstantially all of the angles extend both rearwardly and upwardly. 12.A gold recovery apparatus comprising:a trough in which a stream of oreand carrier water to a predetermined depth turbulently flows so as togenerally define a top water line, the trough comprising a bottom realmof laminar flow below the compartment; spaced rigid barriers whichtransversely divide the trough into compartments, each compartment beingdisposed substantially below the water line such that flow above thebarriers is generally continuously turbulent and flow between thebarriers is both turbulent and revolving to enhance sedimentation ofgold particles in a downward direction; upwardly directed yieldableblades are disposed in the bottom realm to intersect the laminar flowthereby enhancing gold particle sedimentation between the blades, theyieldable blades extending from a mat: spaced rods disposed immediatelyfore and aft and below at least some of the barriers each in an elevatedposition within the laminar flow so that each rod is contiguouslyengaged by the yieldable blades to restrain the mat; both the barriersand the rods being mounted to side bars to form one or more integratedremovable units within the trough.
 13. A gold recovery apparatuscomprising:a trough in which a stream of ore and carrier water to apredetermined depth turbulently flows so as to generally define a topwater line, the trough comprising a bottom realm of laminar flow belowthe compartment; spaced rigid barriers which transversely divide thetrough into compartments, each compartment being disposed substantiallybelow the water line such that flow above the barriers is generallycontinuously turbulent and flow between the barriers is both turbulentand revolving to enhance sedimentation of gold particles in a downwarddirection; at least one gold-receiving slot at the base of the troughbelow at least one compartment in the bottom realm; a secondary waterpassageway being disposed below and in liquid communication with theslot to enhance entry of gold.